"That was awful. He usurped my connection to my goddess," she cries.
But at Bjorkus' insistence she pulls herself together.
Weeping softly, Ianna calls on the tears of her goddess to wash the bull's eyes. She could not stop crying. She felt violated. She thought she was brave but she would never willingly step foot in that room again.
She is weeping.
Perhaps more than anything thus far, this took Dalton by surprise. She is so composed, devoted...
Yet there was not time to waste. They would have to return to the chamber and rescue the missing pair.
"Ianna, you need to pull together, if only for a few more minutes. We're not abandoning your brother without giving it a fair shot." That must be the problem. I suppose being so bereft of family, it's hard to relate.
Seeing Bjorkus knuckle his eyes back into vision, it was clear he would have to be the chief rescuer. "I've half a mind to think we were baited here by Villichi to surpass the defenses of this place. The "rumor" about him getting by security might be a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you're up for it, let's get the two we left and get out." Dalton took a breath. "As we did once before, once we pass beyond the door, I can grant you flight and boost your muscles' ability to carry. You could easily heft both. What say you?"
Bjorkus breathes easier with his vision cleared but when he turns to return to the fight, he finds the way closed.
"Do it", Bjorkus says with a nod of agreement to Dalton's plan. "But just give me the flight spell. I can carry both on 'em my own. The gnome doesn't weigh much."
"Open up!" he demands from the door. "My friend is trapped in there."
It takes Bjorkus half a minute of fast and reckless flying to get back to the main room, an once in there he sees the results of their leaving. Tetserine is a butchered pile of burning flesh on the ground, hooked hammer lying beside him. Next to him lay three felled undead, and two others begin dragging his corpse off to the east. Meanwhile the Bulette thrashes the last undead near Toramin, ripping it apart with its poweful jaws and spewing burning undead flesh all over the floor. Around it lay nearly a dozen destroyed undead, and while it has a number of wounds on it the creature stands tall. It takes a moment to look at Toramin, who is still unmoving, then leans over him and exhales a blast of hot air. After a moment the creature settles down, scanning the halls as it watches over Toramin.
Dalton commands force to shield him after Bjorkus flies-off.
No use in trying to catch him...
"Your brother is steadfast, but he will likely need your healing hands as soon as you can give them. Bjorkus will get him out of harm's way, but the rest is up to you."
Bjorkus wheels around in the air and then dives like a horned rocket on the undead dragging the gnome away. As he gains momentum, his blood pounds in his ears and he gives a fearsome roar.
Remembering what Ianna said when the undead first appeared, he adjusts his aim and Tyrantbreaker's sparking blade to target the chains wrapped around his victim.
Bjorkus shatters one of their chains and the creature gives an otherworldly scream before exploding in a cloud of hot cinders. The other creature looks up and breathes out another hot cloud of ash and cinders, but this time Bjorkus is quick enough to keep it out of his eyes.
Snorting, Bjorkus turns his wrath and his weapon on the other corrupted dwarf. "Toramin, can you hear me? Wake up!" he shouts. "I'm gettin' you out of here right after I deal with this."
He doesn't understand, but how could he?
"It's not . . . it's not the pain," Ianna wails. "When I called upon Bolka, Droskar used me. This place [hiccup] this placed is cursed."
Tears of hot shame run down her cheeks as she flushes at the memory.
Cursed?
It was surely not beyond question given what he'd just witnessed.
"You say called. Are you able to ..." he struggled for the appropriate verb for the divine conduit, "speak with Bolka now?"
Perhaps the forge isn't sitting idle out of choice.
Bjorkus gets his skin flayed and ripped and burnt for trying such a dangerous maneuver, but with his second blow the last undead shrieks and explodes outwards, leaving Tetserine's mauled corpse to slump to the ground.
Toramin remains wholly unresponsive. The Bulette in front of him shifts its gravelly gaze to Bjorkus, but does nothing.
Bjorkus straps Tyrantbreaker into its sheath on his back and scoops up the gnome's charred remains. He takes to the air again and studies the bulette carefully.
If there is any proof of their shared origin, it is to be found in ~Toramin's snort.
"Did Torag call you? I do not remember that. I remember our grandmother instructing and you obeying.
You cling to comforting lies, but soon the caul will be ripped away. You are me. Soon, I will be you."
Ianna shakes her head not in negation, but confusion.
"I don't know. Dalton . . . Dalton, I'm afraid to try. I've never been afraid like this before."
Toramin awakes to see a stony Bulette guarding over him, with over a dozen destroyed bodies of Spurned Forge's spewed across the floor. As Toramin stirs the Bulette snorts and shakes its massive head, then slams one foot into the ground with a resounding Thump! As if coloring spread from the center, the runes begin to shift and change. What was red is now turned golden, and the Forge sparkles with the divine radiance of Torag himself. Where before Toramin had felt fear and doubt and unease, he now feels comfort and strength, his exhaustion and headache melting away. Even Ianna in the distance feels the loving embrace of her goddess, like a mother cooing soothing words to her young.
A voice that drifts between Dwarven and Terran rings in Toramin's head. A voice that speaks of ancient creatures and wisdom and sounds like a cascade of rocks and sand. <<Stone son. The children of the dark forge had control while you entered, but for the time being it is my domain until they spawn again and the cycle begins anew.>> A great sadness emenates from the creature. <<Bring the earth daughter here. You were tempted with power, but she was used as a vessel. While in these halls, the same connection that bonds you to the Dwarven gods also makes you susceptible to Droskar's foul influence. The stronger the bond, the greater foothold he may gain.>>
"I don't know. Dalton . . . Dalton, I'm afraid to try. I've never been afraid like this before."
Tick tock.
"Nor was I after my death. Come," he beckons her over with an arm. "I must support Bjorkus in Toramin's withdrawal. You need not go in the chamber itself, but I won't abandon two siblings in one night."
He knew not what the single pound on the floor beyond them was, but he did not dally to find-out...
Bjorkus spends a moment considering how much he's willing to piss off the giant land shark only to see Toramin suddenly wake. "Toramin, can you hear me? We need to get you out of here. Can you tell Fido to back off?"
Ianna wipes her eyes as she feels her goddess' return.
"Yes, you are right. I can still be of aid even without my prayers. I will not be owned by my fear. Thank you, Dalton."
She holds on to his arm, a bit unsteady, but with her courage returned.
She is of noble blood, yet she thanks me and is not haughty. It seems humans could learn a thing or three from the stout folk.
"Bjorkus?" Toramin murmurs in confusion as things fall back into place.
He stands up. "Yes, I understand. Ragnar, we need to find Ziza. Stoneriver says she was used as a vessel in some fashion. She needs help."
He looks around. "Where is the smith?"
Then he remembers their mission
He bows to the sacred servant of his god. "Stoneriver, scourge of our accursed cousins, we came to the forge because we feared an aasimar anti-paladin is using it for some fell purpose. Do you know if this is true?"
"Wait, who's Stoneriver?" Bjorkus says in confusion at first. "You want Ziza brought here? Are you sure it's safe?"
"This august bullette is a well known envoy of Torag, known as Stoneriver. I think he is safe for a priest of the god gods."
Between the weight of his injuries, his confusion, and general frustration with all things Grastle Hollow, Bjorkus sighs. "Alright, I'll go get her. Don't go anywhere."
Resting the slain gnome on the ground again, Bjorkus zips through the air back the way he came to get his companions.
"He is the head smith of this city, Stoneriver. I cannot believe he died on my watch. This will cause bad complications."
Toramin didn't know what bulletes normally talked about, but he thought including him in the conversation was polite.
Huffing and puffing, Dalton and Ianna (who was not huffing and puffing as much) met Bjorkus a bit before the entrance to the chamber.
"Gozreh be good! You're safe." He wiped his brow and prepared for the worst. "Toramin and the smith ...?"
"The smith is dead but Toramin's fine. He made a friend. He says he needs to speak with his sister."
A hell of a time to make friends... I hope Ianna's up for whatever this conversation is.
"I ... I couldn't transport all of us. The spell is new to me, and I could barely save us as it was."
The slow creep of guilt began for Dalton.
Her eyes wide and solemn, Ianna nods.
"He must mean the bullette, Stoneriver. I once saw him illustrated in a book . . ." She trails once she realized she is rambling.
"That poor man. I wish I had been able to help him. . ."
"The bullette... Stoneriver... whatever it's called is askin' for you. Toramin says the area's safe now. You want a lift?"
"Yes . . . that would be nice, Bjorkus."
Gently, Bjorkus scoops up Ianna and flies her to her brother and his protector.
Ianna looks around at the golden glow. "The colors changed . . . like dragons . . . color coded for your convenience. I wish we had known."
An ancient, gravelly voice emits out into all of the party's heads, speaking in common. << am Stoneriver, servant of Torag. It is true. A great evil has breached the Forge. His name is Calios, and he is a monster. I made the mistake of thinking him dead once I tore him in two and drowned him in magma, but he yet lives. I know not what he plans with the Forge, for his nature was obvious so I sought not questions, only his death. But he was here for a purpose, and the children of the dark forge have become ever more and more active in the past few months. I spend less and less time holding domain here, saving my strength for important times, such as this.>> The ancient creature looks down at Tetserine's corpse, and sorrow is felt through him in each person connected to him. <<I know Tetserine. For decades he has been the gnomish envoy to the Forge. His loss is to be mourned. But this is not the time for mourning, as enemies bang on our gates.>>
As Ianna is flown in by Bjorkus Stoneriver falls silent for a moment, then snorts and exhales a puff of hot air. <<Earth daughter. Forgive my inability to protect you from Droskar's influence. I was tricked, distracted by the assault on the stone son. If I had known of your own divine powers I would have gathered you both beneath me.>> The ancient being thuds over to Ianna, then blows out hot air over Ianna. She feels a calming protection come over her. <<He shall not tamper with you again as long as I yet live. You need not fear his influence any longer.>>
Toramin bows again to Stoneriver.
"Thank you for your help. Do you know how Calios is entering the Forge?"
Ianna too nods her thanks to Stoneriver as well. This is the first moment in her life that did not feel charmed and blessed. Yet, faith was not just for the easy times. Faith is for the hard times as well. So like a wounded animal learning to trust, she opens herself the the goddess again.
<<The great sphere the gnomes have constructed around the Forge was once a holy sentience that only allowed the righteous and pure-hearted within. But even it was not immune to the corrupting presence of the Forge, and over many centuries it became just as dual-natured as the Forge itself. I fear it did not let you for your pure heart, but so that this trap may be sprung on you. Calios enters the same way you did, but only when I do not hold control of the Forge.>>
Ianna feels herself again, the tainted power of Droskar washed from her. Stoneriver relaxes as the healing closes all of his wounds. <<Thank you, earth daughter.>>
"What can we do to aid you in your holy task?"
<<My task is not yours to bear, stone son. But putting an end to Calios is. I am sure he plans to return at some point with a new approach of how to deal with me. But with our combined strength we can overcome him and his allies. This time I shall pin him in magma, where no amount of regeneration will help him escape. But he must be tempted to come back first, he must be given a reason why he must return with haste before he has time to properly plan.>>
"What allies did Calios bring with him last time you fought? And did he attempt to use the skymetal forge itself? If we knew why he was tryin' to master this place it might help us in luring him back."
<<He came alone, but as he left he spoke of powerful allies. In my anger I was foolish and did not learn of his intentions here, once I saw him for what he was the only sounds were that of battle. I thought it would be the end of him. I was wrong.>> Stoneriver shakes off a remnant of magma on his haunches. <<There are very few mortals who can beat me in combat, but Calios managed to deal me great wounds before I felled him. I have no doubt I could take him in single combat, but I doubt he intends to come back alone. And the children of the dark forge fought with him.>>
"Do you know what he understands of this place and its defenses? What if he believed that the gnomes above had learned that they were compromised and were movin' to renew the defenses. He would have to complete his plans for the skymetal forge immediately or risk losing access to this place for centuries again."
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<<I know not of his understanding of this place. However your plan seems a keen one, it very well may entice him to act hastily.>>
"Does he take whatever he is working on with him when he leaves?" Ianna asks hesitantly.
"The amount of ore he has stolen is staggering; there might be logistical issues transporting so much material that might reveal something of his plans."
"How did it become apparent Calios was wicked in his use of the Forge? Can the Forge itself be used to thwart him or his goals?"
<<I have not seen him working on anything. He has been in here once, and his time was short and violent. He has not used the Forge, I simply saw him for what he is.>>
"If this works, Calios will bring every ounce of might he can to bear to secure the forge. We have allies but it'd be best if this fight happens when you control the forge instead of 'the other guy'. How long can you maintain control here?"